This unfair labor practice case is before the Authority on exceptions
to the attached decision of the Administrative Law Judge filed by the
Respondent. The General Counsel filed an Opposition to the Respondent's
exceptions.

The consolidated complaint alleged that the Respondent violated section
7116(a)(1) and (5) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute
(the Statute) by unilaterally changing conditions of employment of unit
employees when it increased the price of soft drinks in Base vending machines,
without first notifying the Union and providing it with an opportunity to
negotiate over the substance and the impact and implementation of the change
and by refusing to bargain with the Union over a proposal concerning catering
truck and vending machine prices.

Pursuant to section 2423.29 of the Authority's Rules and Regulations
and section 7118 of the Statute, we have reviewed the rulings of the Judge made
at the hearings and find that no prejudicial error was committed. We affirm the
rulings. Upon consideration of the Judge's decision, the exceptions, the
opposition, and the entire record, we adopt the Judge's findings, conclusions,
and recommended Order.

The Respondent contends, contrary to the Judge's finding, that
negotiations over catering truck and beverage item prices are barred by 5
U.S.C. § 5536 and Comptroller General decisions. We disagree. Initially,
we note that matters pertaining to food services and related prices for
bargaining unit employees are within the mandatory scope of bargaining.
National Association of Government Employees, Local R1-144 and U.S.
Department of the Navy, Naval Underwater Systems Center, Newport, Rhode
Island, 43 FLRA 1331, 1345-46 (1992); American Federation of Government
Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 1622 and Department of the Army, Fort George G.
Meade, 27 FLRA 11, 14 (1987). SeealsoDepartment of
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Veterans Canteen
Service, Lexington, Kentucky, 44 FLRA 179 (1992), petition for review
filed, No. 92-1185 (D.C. Cir. April 24, 1992); Department of Veterans
Affairs, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Veterans Canteen Service,
Lexington, Kentucky, 44 FLRA 162 (1992), petition for review filed,
No. 92-1184 (D.C. Cir. April 24, 1992). The Authority, in considering other
proposals regarding food service for employees, has noted that "the Comptroller
General has not interpreted 5 U.S.C. § 5536 as an absolute prohibition on
agency subsidization of food for employees." National Association of
Government Employees, Local R1-25 and Veterans Administration, Medical Center,
Brockton, Massachusetts, 23 FLRA 266, 269 (1986).

Finally, we note that the Respondent contends that the Judge erred in
stating that the Respondent did not litigate its position on the issue of
whether a past practice existed permitting the Respondent to implement
increases in the prices of vending machine products unilaterally. Although the
Judge made that statement, the record shows that that issue was litigated.
Moreover, we find that the Judge fully discussed this issue and that the Judge
correctly determined that the record evidence was insufficient to find that
such a past practice existed.

(a) Implementing unilateral changes in the working conditions of unit
employees by increasing the price of canned beverages in Base vending machines
without first notifying and negotiating with the American Federation of
Government Employees, Local 1482, AFL-CIO, the agent of the exclusive
representative of certain of its employees, and affording it an opportunity to
complete negotiations over the decision to implement the price increase and the
impact and implementation of the change.

(b) Failing and refusing to negotiate with the American Federation of
Government Employees, Local 1482, AFL-CIO, the agent of the exclusive
representative of certain of its employees, over matters previously determined
negotiable by the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

(c) In any like or related manner interfering with, restraining or
coercing its employees in the exercise of rights assured by the Federal Service
Labor-Management Relations Statute.

2. Take the following affirmative action in order to effectuate the
purposes and policies of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations
Statute:

(b) Effect a further decrease in the price of canned beverages to 45
cents per can for the same number of days that the unilateral increase in price
was in effect.

(c) Upon request, negotiate with the American Federation of Government
Employees, Local 1482, AFL-CIO, the agent of the exclusive representative of
certain of its employees, regarding its proposal involving prices for catering
truck and vending machine prices on Base.

(d) Post at its facilities copies of the attached Notice on forms to be
furnished by the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Upon receipt of such forms,
they shall be signed by the Commanding Officer and shall be posted and
maintained for 60 consecutive days thereafter, in conspicuous places, including
all bulletin boards and other places where notices to employees are customarily
posted. Reasonable steps shall be taken to insure

that such Notices are not altered, defaced, or covered by any other
material.

(e) Pursuant to section 2423.30 of the Authority's Rules and
Regulations, notify the Regional Director of the San Francisco Regional Office,
Federal Labor Relations Authority, in writing, within 30 days from the date of
this Order, as to what steps have been taken to comply.

NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES

AS ORDERED BY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

AND TO EFFECTUATE THE POLICIES OF THE

FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE

WE NOTIFY OUR EMPLOYEES THAT:

WE WILL NOT implement unilateral changes in the working conditions of
unit employees by increasing the price of canned beverages in Base vending
machines without first notifying and negotiating with the American Federation
of Government Employees, Local 1482, AFL-CIO, the agent of the exclusive
representative of certain of our employees, and affording it an opportunity to
complete negotiations over the decision to implement the price increase and the
impact and implementation of the change.

WE WILL NOT fail or refuse to negotiate with the American Federation of
Government Employees, Local 1482, AFL-CIO, the agent of the exclusive
representative of certain of our employees, over matters previously determined
negotiable by the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner, interfere with, restrain, or
coerce our employees in the exercise of their rights assured by the Federal
Service Labor-Management Relations